Buccaneers sign Jorvorskie Lane

The Buccaneers lost fullback Erik Lorig to the Saints as a free agent last month and the team has kicked off April by adding a player to take his spot on the roster.

Agent David Canter tweeted an announcement that his client Jorvorskie Lane has signed with Tampa. The move ends a long stay on the sideline for the former Dolphin.

Lane has been out of football since being cut by the Dolphins at the end of camp last summer as Miami opted to go without a traditional fullback. Lane played in all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2012, starting five times on an offense that was then coordinated by his college coach Mike Sherman and quarterbacked by Texas A&M teammate Ryan Tannehill. Lane had 13 carries for 13 yards and added 11 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown in his action for the Dolphins.

Lane joins the growing list of new arrivals in Tampa since Lovie Smith and Jason Licht took over as coach and general manager, respectively, this offseason. With rookies coming via the draft or post-draft free agency, the Bucs may wind up turning over almost half their roster before the start of the 2014 season.

The Bucs were very weak at fullback last year, and this seems to be another “warm body” to have the position staffed. At least Lorig made some catches out of the backfield last year and was a servicable blocker. It will be interesting to see if Lane can do the same.